Women in Darbhanga are set to observe the Jitiya festival across two days this year. Mothers observe this austere fast to pray for the long life and prosperity of their children. The festival involves some extraordinary customs that often surprise people. While people generally give up non-vegetarian food before major festivals and avoid consuming garlic and onion even a day prior, this is a unique fast that actually begins with the consumption of fish.
Insights from Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University Expert
Providing detailed insights on this, Dr. Kunal Kumar Jha, the pro-vice-chancellor and astrologer at Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University, stated that the Jitiya festival will be celebrated on October 3, 2026. Dr. Jha explained that women will observe the fast on the night of Saturday, October 3, and the fast will be concluded on Sunday, October 4, which falls on the Navami tithi. The fast will be broken after the Navami tithi commences following 7:38 AM in the morning.
Mithilanchal Traditions and Othgan Auspicious Timing
Since the Ashtami tithi is Chandrodaya vyapini, this Jitiya fast is famously known as Jitiya in the Mithilanchal region and as Mahalakshmi Vrat in other places. He noted that a day prior to October 3, particularly in Mithilanchal, an offering of fish and marua is made during this fast. On this day, after taking a bath, the fasting women consume fish and marua, a practice locally known as Nahay-Khay. Following that, a special meal is consumed at the end of the night, which is called Othgan. The auspicious muhurat for Othgan falls in the final phase of the night, and it must be completed before sunrise at 5:54 AM.
